Deed to manage risk

The National Beekeepers’ Association says it will work with the Government to assess how a joint approach might lead to better management of biosecurity risks to beekeepers.

Association president Barry Foster said the group had agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Primary Industries Ministry to talk about a government industry agreement on biosecurity.

These agreements aim to give primary producers a bigger say in biosecurity decision-making while also requiring them to contribute to biosecurity funding for their sector.

‘‘The National Beekeepers’ Association needs to find out exactly what benefits there are for us as beekeepers and we need to identify the possible downsides,’’ Mr Foster said.

‘‘Once that is done and the pros and cons weighed up then our members can make an informed decision as to whether or not to sign up formally to the GIA deed.’’

The ministry said it was working with about 25 industry representative bodies on signing memorandums of understanding with about seven signed to date.

‘‘At this point in time we cannot name those groups that have signed MOUs,’’ ministry senior communications adviser Lesley Patston said.

The ministry was also working with a small industry working group on the proposed content of the deed.